Sacked nurse to fight on

NURSE Karen Reissmann has vowed to fight on after losing an appeal against her sacking. The union rep, who has spoken out against NHS cuts, was dismissed by Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust in November after talking to the media.

She said her union will look at taking the trust to the European Court of Human Rights.

Unison foreman Andrew Gill said the decision on whether the strike would carry on was to be made at a meeting today.

He said: "The next step for Karen is an employment tribunal, but that could take months. Emotions are running high so we'll wait to make a decision."

The trust confirmed that its decision to dismiss Ms Reissmann has been upheld.

Chairman Wyn Dignan said: "The trust board now intends to move on and focus on delivering safe, high quality mental health services to the people of Manchester. We appeal to those who are presently out on strike to return to work."

Paula Harkis, 49, a community psychiatric nurse, has worked in the mental health sector in Manchester since 1985. She has been on strike since November 8. She said: "We are all shocked and dismayed with this decision.

"We tried to keep optimistic, but we're just disgusted with the way the trust has treated our union rep, spokesman and colleague. People should be allowed to speak out when they feel something is wrong."